From Sixth St and Rainey St to popular nightlife hot spots right across the city, Austin is one of those places that just knows how to party. And if you're looking for somewhere to host a celebration with plenty of vintage vibes, where better than the city that famously likes keeping things weird?
A retro setting is a wonderfully unique backdrop for birthday parties, bridal showers, corporate events, and memorable photo and film shoots. It helps create a special atmosphere for any occasion, adding a distinctive style and serving as a great conversation starter for all your guests, while allowing you to capture a special look on film.
And with a little help from the Giggster app, finding your ideal Austin retro space is easy. Our curated selection of inspiring spaces offers venues to suit a wide range of eras, styles, and budgets. So if you're ready to plan something truly memorable, download the app and start your search for the best retro spaces Austin has to offer.
When you choose a retro setting for your party, you automatically and instantly elevate your occasion well beyond the ordinary. With vintage furniture, eye-catching antiques, elegant decor, and guests dressed in their finest retro clothes, you straight away create an ambiance that you won't get at just any old gathering or celebration. Best of all, when you choose a vintage space with Giggster, you'll find a host of great spaces that you can explore, visit, and hire so you can celebrate in style.
A hidden speakeasy, signature cocktails, cozy booths, and an unmistakable retro noir vibe—what a unique setting for a birthday party or bridal shower.
With delicious food, a historic mansion, vintage furniture, and antiques, an unsolved murder, plenty of suspects in their best vintage clothing, and red herrings galore, a retro space is ideal for a memorable murder mystery party game.
Are you seeking a distinctive venue for an after-work get-together? A welcoming bar and restaurant with roots as a sports club dating back to the 1940s is a great spot for a memorable gathering with distinctive vintage vibes.
Do you need to capture the quintessential "keep Austin weird" vibe for your next creative project? A counter-culture coffee shop in South Austin brings retro nostalgia and Amsterdam vibes to your next photo session or video shoot.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: With 7 exciting and inspiring settings to choose from among Giggster's curated selection of event venues, it's easy to find your ideal space. Each venue brings a unique character and appeal to any special occasion.
Hassle-Free Booking: With handy tools like convenient search filters, direct communication with property hosts, and transparent prices, getting organized and booking a space with Giggster is easy. Check photos and reviews, make sure the site is available on your chosen dates, then lock it in for a memorable retro gathering.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: A sudden change of plans can often lead to financial pain for party planners, but not with Giggster. If you book at least 48 hours before the date of your Austin gathering, you can cancel for free within 24 hours after confirming your booking.
Platform Protections: If you need a little extra security and confidence when booking an Austin space, add optional damage, liability, and cancellation insurance protection to your cart.
Once you've found the perfect site for your special occasion in Austin, there's a huge range of event styles worth considering. Here are just some of the options you might possibly want to check out for the right retro space.
Birthday Parties – Stepping Back in Time. Take the birthday boy or girl back to the heady days of their youth with a milestone birthday bash in a gorgeous retro space like That 70s Austin House.
Murder Mystery Nights – Past Meets Present. A murder mystery game set in the 1930s, '60s, '70s, or '80s calls for a vintage location that fits the specific time period perfectly.
Photo Shoots – Inspiring Images. Work on the ultimate portfolio. A retro fashion photo shoot will produce stunning results in an authentic retro home or apartment, or perhaps even a dated diner.
Corporate Retreats – Building a Better Team. A weekend trip to a historic home or private estate in the Austin area will present you with tons of great opportunities to help your group form stronger bonds.
Bachelorette Parties – Nostalgic Nuptials. Bring retro style to the bride-to-be's big celebration and encourage everyone to get dressed in their best vintage clothes for a groovy singledom send-off.
North, south, east, and west—there are great properties to choose from at all four points of the compass in Austin. This can make it difficult to choose a single space, so look for the following features when you explore the best local offerings.
Start with the location. Maybe you want a retro space on Sixth St or Rainey St, or perhaps a spot in the neighborhood of South Congress ? Whatever the case may be, look for a convenient setting that is easy for as many of your crew as possible to get to.
Make a checklist of features, furniture, and amenities. What key features do you want in a space—vintage furniture, interesting antiques, a private bar, and any other accessories? Will you need to buy vintage furniture, accessories, crystals, or any other items from local vendors or market stalls to help make the space look just right for your creative project?
Find a great price and a helpful host. The best vintage venue in Austin for you should fit comfortably within your budget. Not only that, but the right property will also have a friendly and helpful host who is happy to work with you to accommodate your film or photo shoot plans.
In a city like Austin, with its rich history and unmistakable hipster vibe, there's no shortage of great retro spaces to choose from. But before you decide if a retro setting is ideal for your next gathering or shoot, take a look at the pros and cons.
Advantages
Retro venues can add a nostalgia hit to a wide range of special events.
You'll find a wonderfully diverse range of Austin retro spaces to choose from on the Giggster app.
With its many vintage stores and clothing outlets, diverse live music scene, and love of all things weird and wacky, Austin is the perfect setting for a vintage event.
Disadvantages
If the birthday person, bride or groom to be, or expecting mom isn't fond of retro and vintage vibes, you'll need to consider a more modern Austin setting.
The best vintage stores and event spaces are in high demand, so you can expect plenty of competition when you shop around for a space—book early so you don't miss out.
Some retro settings lack some of the modern conveniences and creature comforts you may need for your special occasion.
It always pays to shop for the best deals when planning a special occasion or creative production. Use the tips below to help save money on your retro gathering in the city of Austin.
Look further afield.
While you might have your heart set on a site in the heart of a popular neighborhood like South Congress, you could save money on rental costs if you're willing to look further afield. Move a little further away from the Austin city center, and you'll find cheaper retro spaces to explore.
Shop around.
From event spaces to food vendors, prop rentals to decorations and furniture hire, always make sure to compare a range of options and shop around before choosing. Not only will this help you find the best of everything for your Austin shoot, but it'll also help you choose the most affordable providers.
Keep numbers down.
Hosting a party, making a film, or holding a photo shoot session can quickly grow into quite an expensive exercise. You'll create a fun and intimate vintage atmosphere if you restrict your guest (or production crew) numbers, and it will also help you save money on the cost of hosting your gathering.
Find a great vintage venue to take your celebration or creative endeavor to the next level—download the Giggster app now and start comparing the best retro locations in Austin. From studios to compounds to homes, our locations are affordable and unique!
